Like many Americans, Catherine first encountered yoga as a physical practice-- yoga poses helped her keep her body limber and strong. After more than two decades of practice, Catherine has found the benefits of yoga to extend far beyond the physical, and her practice now helps her stay centered, find balance and connect to a larger spiritual community (sangha.) Yogic philosophy and techniques have helped Catherine to cope with life challenges, including injuries and medical conditions, and cultivate compassion with herself and others.

Yoga therapy as a component of physical therapy

As a licensed physical therapist, Catherine is able to use yoga therapeutically as part of holistic assessment and treatment that addresses the physical and subtle bodies (mind, emotions and energy.) Yoga therapy provided by a healthcare professional can be considered part of the medical plan of care and as such, is subject to state and federal laws regulating healthcare. In the state of Illinois, for example, physical therapy treatment requires a referral from a physician, chiropractor, dentist, or midwife.

Yoga therapy as a wellness service

Yoga therapy can also stand alone as a means of enhancing wellness, preventing symptoms of injury or dis-ease, or acting as a complement to medical treatments. Yoga therapy certification requires extensive training beyond yoga teacher training requirements. As a certified yoga therapist, Catherine enjoys creating an individualized yoga practice to help her clients reach their goals. A referral is not needed for yoga therapy as a service provided outside a medical plan of care.

For more information on yoga therapy, contact Catherine or visit the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Group Yoga Classes

When Catherine teaches group yoga classes, her background in therapeutic yoga shines through. Meditation and pranayama are offered as a means of physiological quieting. Injury prevention is interwoven with physical poses and alignment. She offers modifications for common aches and pains. She encourages her students to listen to their inner guide as they explore movement and challenge themselves in healthy ways that balance effort with ease.

Testimonials

Catherine kept the material fun to learn throughout the whole day! She is an impressive presenter! The whole course was well organized and had great handouts.

– Anna L

I have worked with Catherine after each of my vaginal births, and also during one of my pregnancies. Her knowledge of the body’s systems is unparalleled. Each time I met with Catherine, I had multiple new tools and realizations about myself to work with on my own. She helped me heal from a mild bladder prolapse and reduce my diastasis recti to a subclinical level. I refer patients to Catherine on a weekly basis because I know she will have some ideas and skills to impart to just about anyone imaginable! Thank you, Catherine!

This instructor is great! I will be taking more courses with her. She has the ability to communicate information in an interesting manner. I think this is the best instructor I have ever taken a (continuing education) class with!

– Janet L

I was in a lot of pain with mobility issues. Catherine Lewan, DPT, was very understanding and made me feel comfortable about discussing all the ways that the pain was interfering with my daily activities. Cat employed several modalities to address my pain as well as muscle weaknesses (and areas of tightness!) that I hadn’t noticed before but to which my body was reacting. Cat provided me with options to consider regarding my plan of care and included my goals in each step of the treatment. She listened well and came up with a plan tailored to my needs. I now am more knowledgeable about my body and if my pain returns, I have some tools to use to try to address it. I know too that she is available in case my pain persists, and I need a re-evaluation. Working with Cat has convinced me that physical therapists can address the whole patient, not just a joint or limb that is in pain. Finally, Cat was always positive and encouraging. I could not have achieved my great results without her!

Catherine and her class (the environment she creates) are great examples of warmth and competence in action. Catherine is open, kind, gracious, generous, smart and very good at what she does.

-MaryPat

Excellent speaker with a nice balance of lecture, lab, and shared case scenarios.

-Julie D

If you are looking for a solid, intense workout lead by a positive, passionate, and totally well-informed instructor, you need to attend Catherine Lewan’s classes. As a dedicated yoga student of Catherine’s for over 5 years, I can attest she has positively changed my life. She shows you the way to think about your body in a different perspective and provides the instructions on how to make it better. She has variety in each class, gives excellent queues, hands-on adjustments (at your discretion), and insightful thoughts to help you with truly understanding the practice of yoga. Best of all, she loves life and it shows.

-Carolyn S

Catherine tailors her classes to the needs of participants of all ages and conditions. She uses props to enhance each movement, and modifications that offer me the opportunity to take care of my body using weekly Pilates and Yoga group classes. I also see her in the clinic for treatment of my arthritis, and I have found her expertise, respect for the human body and her personal centeredness to be an extraordinary resource.

-Cris

Very clear, inspirational and motivational. Passionate about her subject. Great teacher and course!

-Beth B

I took a course from you a couple years ago about using pilates/yoga with geriatric patients. You presented the material in a smooth, understandable, and engaging way. I was just getting into yoga at the time, and you helped spur me onward into that wonderful realm. I am currently going over, again, the workbook from that course. Just wanted you to know that you helped to re-energize an old physical therapist’s practice of his profession, and continue to influence in a very positive way the outcomes of all my patient interactions. I offer you my sincere gratitude.